Thursday, July 16, 2009

It's nearly August, the peak of the summer holiday season, and we're dreaming of escaping the city (by train of course), to a relaxing idyll. In the picture is an infinity pool, a sun lounger, blue sky, gentle sunshine, a breeze in the palm trees, a tower of books to plough through, never-ending iced fruit smoothies and...the perfect poolside wardrobe!

Just because we've put our hectic city life on hold for a while, we won't be putting our ethics on hold. Our ideal holiday is carbon-light, and preferably in a location where the local community benefits directly from tourism. Our suitcase, too, will include ethical fashion items and natural and organic beauty products. Here are three essential items we won't be leaving home without, plus complementary poolside pieces to inspire you...

1. Mociun Zigzag swimsuit, £70.40 reduced from £88 Mociun creates the most wonderful graphic prints and illustrations on summer dresses and t-shirts. It's swimwear follows its inimitable styling, and this Zigzag swimwuit is in one of the season's most popular patterns. It features as a Top 10 Swimwear pick on daily eco glossy Greenmystyle.com too. Caitlin Mociun, designer and founder of the label, uses fabulous sustainable and eco fabrics including yak, hemp, organic cotton and more.

2. Viridis Luxe Skinny Strap Banded Dress, £152 reduced from £190 We love this Viridis Luxe dress because it's one of those perfectly versatile pieces that make travelling light a little more achievable. Yes, even for the most stylish amongst us! This bamboo and cotton jersey dress would look adorable popped over a bikini for the trip from poolside to bar, or simply dress it up with barely-there heels and gold jewellery for evening. Viridis Luxe is highly desirable ethical fashion, featuring ecologically superior hemp with silk, bamboo and organic cotton, and it's well worth snapping up a bargain when available.

3. Deborah Lindquist Short Shorts, £68.60 reduced from £98These are so unbelievably cute! The micro short is still the style of the summer, and we've seen these worn with a dazzling array of footwear, from wedges to wellies. Look sassy by the pool in short shorts and bikini top, or dare to keep those legs out for your evening stroll along the promenade. Guaranteed to turn heads. We love the chic soft pink and the easier than linen blended fabric.